The stock boxes slack is easy and cheap to fix.

If you can, fitting the PS from a 144 74 that has it would be best.

Fitting the steering and idler arms from a 164 PS box speeds it up, but makes the steering heavier. A race only mod.

For cheap thrills, extending the steering arms, shortening the drag and swaping their position makes for cheap thrills, very heavy.

Fitting 164 PS is a painfull process because the steering is at different angle to the 144 which means you have to make a heavy plate steel adaptor to go between the box and chassis rail. Lengthing the steering arm on that side would help. A big plus with power steering is you can crank in a heap of positive caster.

Manual boxes found in 164S cars are slower than 144 because the extra weight on the front tyres makes it essential. Made of iron too, very heavy and something for the scrap bin.
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Three 164's, Two 144's, One 142 & a partridge in a pear tree.